Vegetable Lasagna in Parmesan Cream Sauce

9 servings

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
2 cups milk
1/2 cup KRAFT 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese
2 tablespoons oil
3 cups chopped broccoli
1 cup shredded carrots
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups POLLY-O Original Ricotta Cheese
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
9 lasagna noodles, cooked, drained
3 cups POLLY-O Pizza Shreds 4 Cheese Blend, divided

PREHEAT oven to 375 degrees F. Melt butter in medium saucepan on low heat. Stir in flour, salt and ground red pepper; cook 2 minutes or until bubbly, stirring frequently. Gradually add milk, stirring until well blended. Cook on medium heat until mixture boils and thickens, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low; simmer 3 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese; set aside.

HEAT oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, onions and garlic; cook and stir 4 to 5 minutes or until crisp-tender; set aside. Mix ricotta cheese and basil.

SPOON 1/4 cup of the Parmesan sauce into 12 x 8-inch baking dish; cover with layers of 3 of the noodles, 1/2 of the ricotta cheese mixture, 1/3 of the vegetable mixture, 1 cup of the pizza shreds and 1/3 of the remaining Parmesan sauce. Repeat layers of noodles, ricotta cheese mixture, vegetable mixture, pizza shreds and Parmesan sauce. Top with remaining 3 noodles, remaining Parmesan sauce, remaining vegetable mixture and remaining 1 cup pizza shreds; cover.

BAKE 55 minutes. Uncover. Bake an additional 5 minutes. or until hot and bubbly.

Serving Suggestion:
Serve this meatless main dish with a crisp, mixed green salad.

Substitute:
Substitute 2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained, for the chopped fresh broccoli. Add to the cooked vegetable mixture before layering with other ingredients as directed.

Nutritional Information: Calories 450 Total fat 27 g Saturated fat 14 g Cholesterol 75 mg Sodium 610 mg Carbohydrate 28 g Dietary fiber 3 g Sugars 8 g Protein 23 g Vitamin A 60 %DV Vitamin C 45 %DV Calcium 60 %DV Iron 8 %DV

Healthy Living Information: Generally Nutritious

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Kraft Foods - used with permission.